LaFaro, Scott : The Alchemy Of Scott LaFaro: Young Meteor Of Bass
They say : Comprehensive 3CD set celebrating the life and work of Scott LaFaro. (el Records ACME3CD374)
Lampen: Halogen
They say : Lampen is Kalle Kalima and Tatu Rönkkö. Kalle plays guitar, Tatu plays percussion and sampler. The band makes its home between Helsinki and Berlin, where Kalima is based. Lampen’s sound is reminiscent of the wide-screen meditations of the likes of Earth and The Necks, but on a territory of their own. Think meditative deep contemporary jazz drawing from way outside of the genre’s borders and landing somewhere with heightened levels of low key sonic intensity (We Jazz Records – WJLP67)
Law, Ant & Beraha, Brigitte: Ensconced
They say : An exciting new collaboration between Milan-born British/Turkish vocalist Brigitte and leading UK guitarist/composer Ant. Six originals bookended by re-imaginings of timeless standards – ‘A Kiss To Build A Dream On’ (made famous by Louis Armstrong) and ‘Some Other Time’ – the duo conjure a spellbinding ‘campfire’ feeling. (Ubuntu, UBU0169)
Le Prince, Manu: Bossa Jazz For Ever
They say : Her country of adoption is Brazil, and the immense jazz singer Manu Le Prince here pays homage to composer Johnny Alf, considered by some as the father of bossa nova and a major influence on Jobim and Gilberto. Manu has already dedicated recordings to the songs of jazz monuments like Cole Porter and Wayne Shorter; for this record she chose the unavoidable (and unfairly overlooked) songwriter Johnny Alf. She recorded and produced this tribute in 2013 in Rio, accompanied notably by Idriss Boudrioua, Alf’s saxophonist and arranger for three decades, and some of Brazil’s greatest musicians. Her suave, jazzy voice puts all her energy into the repertoire of the composer from Rio to finally do justice to his fundamental music. Augustin BONDOUX / Patrick FRÉMEAUX Roberto MENESCAL, one of the founding fathers of Bossa Nova wrote: We Brazilians are not very good at defending our own cultural heritage. So it makes me very happy to see artists from other countries interested by our music and recording works that are little known even to Brazilians. This is the case with this great singer Manu Le Prince that brings to light the work of Johnny Alf, one of our major composers. Manu chose songs for their quality rather than for their popularity, and thanks to her beautiful interpretations our culture can be very grateful for this tribute. Thank you Manu. (Frémeaux & Associés, FA8612)
Lemerle, Felix: Blues For The End Of Time
They say : Guitar player and composer Felix Lemerle offers a wonderful debut album with Bertha Hope (p), Samuel Lerner (p), Ari Roland (b) and Jimmy Cobb (d). “Disque du Jour” TSF JAZZ week of the 4th of December, 2023. (Tzim Tzum Records)
Les Arrivants: Towards The Light
They say : In their second album “Towards the Light,” multinational band Les Arrivants (The Arrivals) builds on their first album “Home” by pushing the boundaries of their instruments, traditions, and musical worlds. Amichai Ben Shalev (bandoneon), Abdul-Wahab Kayyali (oud), and Hamin Honari (tombak, daf and percussion) embark on a sonic adventure that takes them to new terrain of artistic exploration. (Self Release)
Llombart, Jaume: Fluttering Wings
They say : Jaume Llombart (g, perc, vcl), Pau Domènech (b-cl), Miguel Villar (ts), Alfred Artigas (g), Marc Cuevas (b), Joe Smith (d) (Fresh Sound New Talent FSNT-682)
Lorraine, Ross: More From The Heart
They say : More From The Heart follows the critically acclaimed 2022 debut, Heart of Mine by composer, songwriter and pianist Ross Lorraine. Produced by Claire Martin, the recording features leading vocalists Joanna Eden, Iain Mackenzie, Noemi Nuti, Irene Serra, Christine Tobin and Charlie Wood. (Ross Lorraine Records – RLR002)
Lundgren, Jan & Costa, Yamandu: Inner Spirits
They say : Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren’s relationship with ACT stretches back two decades and is perhaps best-known for the acclaimed Mare Nostrum trio with Paolo Fresu and Richard Galliano. He returns this autumn with another recording which stretches the geographical boundaries of jazz, joining forces with Latin Grammy-winning seven-string Brazilian guitar master Yamandu Costa (ACT 9990-2)
Lyssarides, Joel & Prokopiou, Georgios: Arcs and Rivers
They say : Among Europe’s most listened to jazz artists, Swedish pianist Joel Lyssarides joins forces with Greek folk musician Georgios Prokopiou in a pioneering blend of Greek folk and Nordic jazz, releasing the bouzouki from its place as an accompaniment instrument and thrusting it into the spotlight. Recorded over the course of four hours, their spontaneous, throughfully crafted natural fusion of cultures is set to release in September on ACT Music. (ACT 9998-2)
Lyytinen, Pauli: ‘Lehto / Korpi’
They say : Finnish saxophonist Pauli Lyytinen makes his We Jazz solo debut with ‘Lehto / Korpi’, a widescreen environmental jazz ambient album effortlessly bringing together Lyytinen’s instrumentation, field recordings and extended instrumentation. (We Jazz Records – WJLP59)
Mack, Karen: Catch & Keep
They say : Silky-voiced, swinging, wildly eclectic vocalist Karen Mack’s debut album is produced by NY Voices’ Peter Eldridge and offers a mix of 12 standards and originals that delight. (KmackMusic KMM2401)
Mahuki: Gratitude
They say : ‘Gratitude’ is a journeying record and new page in the growing story of Scottish jazz. The brainchild of Czech guitarist Honza Kourimsky, the album takes a cinematic approach, with powerful horn fanfares, deft string interludes and tender guitar passages that create a through-flowing listening experience. (Bridge The Gap – BTG217)
Mallett, Paula: Dreams Realized
They say : The veteran jazz and soul singer Rose Mallett displays plenty of versatility and passion throughout her latest release, Dreams Realized, an outstanding recording that deserves wide recognition. Her wide-ranging program includes songs by Stevie Wonder, Oscar Brown Jr, B.B. King and Michel Legrand along with personal interpretations of standards. (Carrie-On Productions)
Maoz, Eyal and Chadbourne, Eugene: The Coincidence Masters
They say : The Coincidence Masters is the first duo from avant guitarists Eugene Chadbourne and Eyal Maoz. Textural and serpentine, daring and freewheeling, this is an adventurous listen, RIYL Mary Halvorson, Fred Frith, Nels Cline. (Infrequent Seams)
Marie Goudy’s Paloma Sky: Hold on to Me
They say : Hold On to Me is the debut full-length album by Toronto jazz- pop quintet Paloma Sky. It features ten tracks composed and arranged by bandleader and trumpet player Marie Goudy, and showcases the sensational voice of lead singer Jocelyn Barth. The music traverses a wide range of jazz sub-genres, from Latin to soul to swing, but the common thread is a strong foundation of catchy melodies and rich grooves. The album delves into themes of love, passion, and triumph. Even the songs that address themes of loneliness and heartbreak are infused with positive energy as Goudy finds the beauty in the pain. (Independent)
Marie, Anna; Maye, Marilyn: Interludes with Anna Marie & Marilyn… The Most!
They say : Anna Marie, Marilyn Maye (vcl), Bill Rubinstein, Sammy Tucker (p), Wally Melnick, Sammy Farrar (b), Buddy Pabst, Tommy Ruskin (d) (Fresh Sound Records FSRV139)
Marsala, Joe: Reunion in Harlem
They say : Chicago-born Joe Marsala is regarded as one of the finest jazz clarinettists in history, especially renowned for the beauty of his low register playing. Yet, apart from afficionados, he remains relatively little-known, an injustice that is rectified by this first-ever double-album survey of his recorded legacy. Reunion In Harlem, Retrospective’s latest addition to its growing jazz range (Retrospective RTS 4422)
Martin, Claire: Almost in Your Arms
They say : Claire returns to her superb Swedish trio: Martin Sjöstedt (p), double bass player, Niklas Fernqvist (b) and Daniel Fredriksson (d), and this time adds guests: Karl-Martin Almqvist, Joe Locke; Mark Jaimes; Nikki Iles, and Charlie Wood – plus producer/musician James McMillan – and a fascinating selection of songs. (Stunt Records STUCD24062)
Maya, Paula: Rio de Janeiro
They say : Paula Maya, one of the top Brazilian singers and pianists, performs six originals and Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Vivo Sonhando” on her new CD Rio de Janeiro. Joined by notable Brazilian musicians including © Grammy-winning drummer-producer Téo Lima and bassist Sizão Machado, she created a set of joyful and infectious music that was recorded and mixed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Yellow House Records)
McCabe, Nicole: Mosaic
They say : Originally from Marin County, California, Nicole McCabenow works and lives in Los Angeles, where she earned a Master’s from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, studying with Vince Mendoza, Patrice Rushen and Russell Ferrante. Her music stretches her hard-bop roots into new territory, informed by an expansive melodic sensibility. (Ghost Note, GNR1027)
McHenry, Ross: Waves
They say : Ross McHenry is a multi-award winning Australian bassist and composer whose career has been characterized by boundary pushing explorations in contemporary improvised music, chamber music and beyond. The fifth album under his own name, McHenry’s upcoming release is a sonic journey through memory, history and the impact of seismic personal and existential events. (Earshift Music EAR084)
McNeill, Michael: Barcode Poetry
They say : Michael McNeill is a pianist, improviser, and composer based in Buffalo, NY. In 2022, he started the quartet Allegories, with Baltimore-based musicians Susan Alcorn (pedal steel guitar), Dave Ballou (trumpet), and Shelly Purdy (vibraphone & percussion). Barcode Poetry is the culmination of this quartet’s work together. (Infrasonic Press, IFSP-08)
Menescal, Roberto: A Bossa Nova De Roberto Menescal
They say : Nothing. (Jazz Samba 709119 LP)
Meron, Daniel: Pendulum
They say : Pendulum is NYC based pianist-composer Daniel Meron’s latest release, and his 5th as a leader. Across nine original compositions and one arrangement, Meron boasts a modern jazz sound with influences of Middle Eastern and Latin music. Featuring Mark Whitfield Jr (drums), Tamir Shmerling (bass), Itai Kriss (flute), Jonathan Greenstein (tenor). (Pinch Records)
Méva’s Journal: Chimera
They say : New 4000 Records signing Méva’s Journal is the brain-child of drummer, composer and bandleader Evan J. Evans. The quintet explore different sounds of the ’60s hard bop scene. A big and early inspiration being Thelonious Monk, through which we hear echoes of Eric Dolphy, Freddie Redd, Horace Silver, Bud Powell and Elmo Hope. (4000 Records 4K44)
Miami, Mieke: Birdland
They say : Mieke Miami returns to Sonar Kollektiv with her third album, Birdland, which develops her unique fusion of psychedelic jazz and leftfield electronics, with Mieke performing vocals, bass clarinet, flute, sax, keys, programming, as well as co-producing and writing all of the original music. It’s an album that in many ways represents a solo vision, but is also created with a full live band performance in mind. (Sonar Kollektiv SK494)
Middagh, Ryan : Tenor Madness
They say : Tenor Madness is Ryan Middagh’s newest venture as a bandleader and arranger and is a love letter both to the saxophone itself, and the ebullient saxophonists of the Nashville music scene. The album’s title is straightforward yet profoundly effective in its conciseness. (Ear Up)
Mingus Big Band: The Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions Vol. 2
They say : Nothing. (Candid Records CAN3346)
Miranda, Dario: La Dormiente
They say : Nothing. (Losen Records LOS3002 CD)
Momo: Gira
They say : London has a bright new Brazilian talent in town, who goes by the name of Momo. Not so new, actually. Momo releases his 8th album Gira, on Batov Records bringing together some very special musicians and guests from London’s bustling and hustling jazz community, with fellow Brazilian artists, recorded and cut to tape at East London’s Total Refreshment Center (Batov Records)
Monder, Ben: Planetarium
They say : Though the musical universe of guitarist Ben Monder is vast, the paths to his aural galaxies are rather solitary and arduous. It takes considerable time for Monder to create his unique, mind-bending recordings, as the practice, sculpting, and arranging can take years. His latest recording, Planetarium, is a prodigious piece of art that showcases the widest breadth of his vision as a composer and craftsman. A most helpful association for Monder has been with engineer and producer Joseph Branciforte, whose Greyfade Studio in Mount Vernon, New York became a sort of second home for him during the recording process. Beginning in December of 2020, the two began to meet frequently at the studio, setting down ideas and inviting collaborators to add their unique contributions. These integral guests included drummers Ted Poor and Satoshi Takeishi, bassist Chris Tordini, and vocalists Theo Bleckmann, Charlotte Mundy, and Emily Hurst. (Sunnyside Records SC1762)
Moullier, Simon: Elements of Light
They say : Simon Moullier announces his newest album Elements Of Light, to be released on September 20th on the legendary Candid Records label. The album features Moullier’s remarkable quartet along with special guest appearances by Gerald Clayton and Marquis Hill. In discussing Elements of Light, the vibraphonist-composer Simon Moullier often returns to a specific term: unfolding. “This is an important word — the unfolding of a song,” says Moullier. “It’s something I’m very attached to, and something I’m always working on.” As he explains, many of his essential influences —Wayne Shorter, Milton Nascimento, Toninho Horta, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, Ravel, — have been masterful unfolders in their writing. Moullier admires the movement and design in their music and harmony, the way one section of a tune leads into the next, everything flowing in a natural, beautiful, inviting way. (Candid Records CAN33442)
Mulligan, Gerry: Meets Ben Webster
They say : Nothing. (Essential Jazz Master Sessions 2613 CD)
Mulligan, Gerry & Paul Desmond: Blues In Time
They say : Nothing. (Waxtime 772349 LP)